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Badger grids in line for Rose Bowl, outside shot at national title

MADISON - The University of Wisconsin football improved its chances of getting a Rose Bowl bid last night, when the Badgers moved up two spots to fifth in the new BCS Standings.

Ohio State also moved up two places to number-six. But Wisconsin expanded its lead over the Buckeyes in the computer ratings from 76-hundredths-of-a-point to 81-hundredths. The Big Ten co-champion that's in the highest spot in the final BCS Standings next Sunday night will get the Rose Bowl bid - and they'll possibly face number-three Texas Christian on New Year's Day in Pasadena.

Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Michigan State all shared the Big Ten title after going 7-1 in their conference schedules. Michigan State is two spots behind the Buckeyes at number-eight in the BCS Standings and is not considered a Rose Bowl possibility. Meanwhile, the Badgers moved up one spot to number-four this week in all the major polls - AP, the coaches' survey, and Harris Interactive.

Wisconsin is 11-1 overall, after crushing Northwestern 70-23 in its regular season finale this past Saturday in Madison.